“When I was on the phone to the police I said to them there’s CCTV so they’d be able to catch them this time and they said the signs were just for show,” said Sue. “It’s outrageous.”

But a spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said CCTV signs were installed in the cemetery last year and there are cameras at both Fleet House, which overlooks Thorntree main cemetery (Protestant), and at Thorntree House, overlooking Thorntree RC Cemetery.

'Just unbearable'

Sue’s mum was 46 when she died seven years ago from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and a blood clot on the lung.

Sue, who said she finds visiting her mum’s grave “my comfort”, has spent a lot of money and time over the years to make the grave as pretty as she can.

For the anniversary of her mum’s passing in October she bought a small decorative fence to go around the grave while the previous year she bought her headstone.

“I’ve worked hard to make it look nice,” she said. “It’s just unbearable really.”

Thefts started last year and are continuing

Last August she appealed for CCTV to be installed at the cemetery and signs to be erected at the entrance to warn off would-be thieves.

But, although signs were put up at the cemetery gates saying “CCTV is operating in the area”, Sue said the police told her at the weekend that there actually is no CCTV which covers the cemetery.

“The nearest is at the flats but the police said it’s too far away,” she said.

Now Sue has launched a petition on Care2Petitions called ‘Demanding security to be put in graveyards’ so CCTV cameras are installed inside the cemetery which has been supported by 121 people so far.

“I want a camera there - and in the Catholic one next door too. It’s not just my mum’s grave, things have gone missing off other people’s and there’s vandalism too.

“What’s it going to take before something is done about it?”

Council response

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: “Any acts of theft or vandalism in our cemeteries are deplorable, and are taken very seriously.

“We will do everything in our power to assist the police to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

“However cemeteries, like parks and other public areas, are open spaces which cannot be policed or patrolled around the clock, and CCTV does not guarantee that offenders can be identified.”